The Justice Department announced indictments stemming from Operation Ghostbusters, a probe into a scheme using stolen identities and AI tools to fake enrollment in online classes and obtain federal student loans. Officials say the government lost over $200 million, with more than 40 open cases spanning 26 FBI field offices and 20 U.S. Attorney's offices; five defendants have been charged and over $750,000 in cryptocurrency seized.
tomshardware.com
· 2026-10-31
The Justice Department charged five people in a scheme that used stolen identities to enroll fake students in colleges and collect federal student loan funds. Fraudsters allegedly used AI to complete coursework and simulate attendance in virtual classes, while funneling leftover aid money into accounts controlled by money mules. The DOJ also seized over $750,000 in cryptocurrency tied to a network linked to Kenyan nationals.
yro.slashdot.org
· 2026-10-30
The Department of Justice announced charges against five people involved in a scheme that used stolen identities and AI to pose as college students and collect federal student aid. Investigators seized over $750,000 in cryptocurrency linked to a network of Kenyan nationals, describing it as the first international seizure of its kind tied to this type of fraud. The scheme involved buying victims' personal data, filing fraudulent FAFSA applications, and funneling leftover loan money through US-based bank accounts.
arstechnica.com
· 2026-10-30
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